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Hoang PA, Nguyen TTH, Nguyen THH, Tran NT, Mai TTH. Barriers in providing maternal health care services in a mountainous area. SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE 2024; 41:100998. [PMID: 38906085 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2024.100998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE While programs had been implemented by both the government and non-governmental organizations to address inequity in maternal health care in mountainous areas in Vietnam, the expected outcomes were not fully reached due to existing barriers from health workers mainly providing the health services. This study explores prominent issues faced by health workers in delivering maternal care in Cao Bang, focusing on their impact on the local population's daily lives and overall development. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted with 15 participants working as health managers, commune health workers, commune midwives, and village health workers in selected communes of a mountainous and border district located in the Northeast Cao Bang province. RESULTS Main barriers include the incompetent healthcare workforce, ineffective use of facility resources, lack of work commitment, and unscientific traditional beliefs. CONCLUSION Future community programs should implement strict policies, defined rights, and clear responsibilities for health workers handling these obstacles to optimize the quality of maternal health care services in these remote areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Anh Hoang
- College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Vinhomes Ocean Park, Da Ton, Gia Lam 100000, Hanoi, Viet Nam; Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Hanoi Medical University, No 1 Ton That Tung, Dong Da, Hanoi 100000, Viet Nam.
| | - Thi Thanh Huong Nguyen
- College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Vinhomes Ocean Park, Da Ton, Gia Lam 100000, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
| | - Thi Hoa Huyen Nguyen
- College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Vinhomes Ocean Park, Da Ton, Gia Lam 100000, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
| | - Ngoc Tran Tran
- College of Health Sciences, VinUniversity, Vinhomes Ocean Park, Da Ton, Gia Lam 100000, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
| | - Thi Thuy Hao Mai
- ChildFund in Vietnam Representative Office, Vinafor Building, 127 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung 100000, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
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Trout KE, Chaidez V, Ern J, Bremer M, Karsting K, Su D. Differences in Role and Support Between Volunteer and Paid Community Health Workers in the State of Nebraska. J Community Health 2024; 49:257-266. [PMID: 37848655 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01289-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the growing importance of community health workers (CHWs) in public health, it has been difficult to characterize the roles and scope of services for this workforce in part because of the variability in the employment status of CHWs, ranging from full-time, part-time, to volunteer. Based on analysis of survey data from a statewide assessment of the CHW workforce in Nebraska (n = 142) conducted between 2019 and 2020, the proportions of CHWs who worked full-time, part-time, or volunteer were respectively 64%, 12%, and 21%. Over three quarters (76.7%) of volunteer CHWs were primarily working with Hispanic communities, as compared to less than 30% among full-time and part-time CHWs. About 80% of volunteer CHWs received training before becoming a CHW, substantially higher than the corresponding proportions among full-time (46.2%) and part-time CHWs (52.9%). In terms of tasks performed, the proportion of volunteer CHWs who provided health screenings (70%) were much higher than full or part-time CHWs (41.8% and 11.8% respectively, p < 0.001); whereas the latter two groups were significantly more likely than volunteer CHWs to provide other tasks such as coordinating care, health coaching, social support, transportation, interpretation, data collection, advocacy, and cultural awareness. Volunteer CHWs may hold potential for serving non-Hispanic communities. Future development of the CHW workforce can benefit from understanding and leveraging the significant differences in roles and scope of services among CHWs with various employment statuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate E Trout
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Virginia Chaidez
- Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, Lincoln, USA
| | - Jessica Ern
- Center for Reducing Health Disparities, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Mark Bremer
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Kathy Karsting
- Division of Public Health, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Dejun Su
- Department of Health Promotion, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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Kletter M, Harris B, Connolly E, Namathanga C, Nhlema B, Makungwa H, Chabwera B, Phiri B, Brown C. Mixed method evaluation of a learning from excellence programme for community health workers in Neno, Malawi. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:355. [PMID: 38504273 PMCID: PMC10953074 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10686-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an essential role in linking communities to facility-based healthcare. However, CHW programmes have often been hampered by low levels of staff motivation, and new tools aimed at improving staff motivation and work environment are needed. One such intervention is the "Learning from Excellence" (LfE) programme. We aimed to assess feasibility, outputs, and impact of a co-designed LfE programme on CHW motivation, in Neno District. METHODS We conducted a convergent mixed-method evaluation of the LfE programme. Co-design of the programme and forms took place between October 2019 and January 2020. LfE forms submitted between September and November 2020 were analysed using descriptive statistics and memos summarising answers to the open-ended question. To investigate experiences with LfE we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, CHWs, and site supervisors, which were analysed thematically. A pre-post intervention questionnaire was developed to assess the impact of the co-designed LfE intervention on CHW motivation and perceived supervision. Outcomes were triangulated into a logic model. RESULTS In total 555 LfE forms were submitted, with 34.4% of CHWs in Neno District submitting at least one LfE report. Four themes were identified in the interviews: LfE implementation processes, experience, consequences, and recommendations. A total of 50 CHWs participated in the questionnaire in January 2020 and 46 of them completed the questionnaire in December 2020. No statistically significant differences were identified between pre-and post-LfE measurements for both motivation (Site F: p = 0.86; Site G: p = 0.31) and perceived supervision (Site F: p = 0.95; Site G: p = 0.45). A logic model, explaining how the LfE programme could impact CHWs was developed. CONCLUSIONS Many CHWs participated in the LfE intervention between September 2020 and November 2020. LfE was welcomed by CHWs and stakeholders as it allowed them to appreciate excellent work in absence of other opportunities to do so. However, no statistically significant differences in CHW motivation and perceived supervision were identified. While the intervention was feasible in Neno District, we identified several barriers and facilitators for implementation. We developed a logic model to explain contextual factors, and mechanisms that could lead to LfE outcomes for CHWs in Neno District. The developed logic model can be used by those designing and implementing interventions like LfE for health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maartje Kletter
- The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
| | - Bronwyn Harris
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Emilia Connolly
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi
| | | | | | - Henry Makungwa
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi
| | - Benson Chabwera
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi
| | - Benson Phiri
- Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo, Neno, PO Box 56, Malawi
| | - Celia Brown
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
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Olakkengil M, Said S, Abdalla O, Hofmann R, Hedt-Gauthier B, Fulcher I. Are populations of postpartum women differentially served by community health worker programs: an observational cohort study from Zanzibar, Tanzania. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:183. [PMID: 38454323 PMCID: PMC10921749 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06356-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although community health worker (CHW) programs focus on improving access to healthcare, some individuals may not receive the intended quality or quantity of an intervention. The objective of this research was to examine if certain populations of pregnant women differentially experience the implementation of a community health worker-led maternal health intervention in Zanzibar. METHODS We included pregnant women enrolled in the Safer Deliveries (Uzazi Salama) program, which operated in 10 of 11 districts in Zanzibar, Tanzania between January 1, 2017, and June 19, 2019 (N = 33,914). The outcomes of interest were receipt of the entire postpartum intervention (three CHW visits) and time to first postpartum CHW visit (days). Visits by CHWs were done at the women's home, however, a telehealth option existed for women who were unable to be reached in-person. We conducted statistical tests to investigate the bivariate associations between our outcomes and each demographic and health characteristic. We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate the relationships between covariates and the outcomes and multivariate linear regression to estimate the association between covariates and the average time until first postpartum visit. RESULTS Higher parity (OR = 0.85; P = 0.014; 95%CI: 0.75-0.97), unknown or unreported HIV status (OR = 0.64; p < 0.001; 95%CI: 0.53-0.78), and receipt of phone consultations (OR = 0.77; p < 0.001; 95%CI: 0.69-0.87) were associated with a lower odds of receiving all postpartum visits. Similarly, women with an unknown or unreported HIV status (estimated mean difference of 1.81 days; p < 0.001; 95%CI: 1.03-2.59) and those who received a phone consultation (estimated mean difference of 0.83 days; p < 0.001; 95%CI: 0.43-1.23), on average, experienced delays to first visit. In addition, current delivery at a referral hospital was associated with lower odds of receiving a postpartum visit and longer time to first visit compared to delivery at home, cottage hospital, PHCU + , or district hospital. Women from all other districts received their first visit earlier than women from Kaskazini B. There were no differences in the odds of receiving the entire postpartum intervention by sociodemographic variables, including age, education, and poverty assessment indicators. CONCLUSION The results indicate no differences in intervention contact across wealth and education levels, suggesting that the program is effectively reaching women regardless of SES. However, women with other characteristics (e.g., higher parity, unknown or unreported HIV status) had lower odds of receiving the complete intervention. Overall, this work generates knowledge on existing disparities in intervention coverage and enables future programs to develop approaches to achieve equity in health care utilization and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Olakkengil
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA.
| | - Samira Said
- D-Tree International, IRCH Building, Kidongo Chekundu, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Omar Abdalla
- D-Tree International, IRCH Building, Kidongo Chekundu, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Rachel Hofmann
- D-Tree International, IRCH Building, Kidongo Chekundu, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Bethany Hedt-Gauthier
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Isabel Fulcher
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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Kåks P, Stansert Katzen L, Målqvist M, Bergström A, Herzig van Wees S. Implementing a social innovation for community-based peer support for immigrant mothers in Sweden: a mixed-methods process evaluation. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1332738. [PMID: 38283291 PMCID: PMC10821792 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1332738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction A South African social innovation based on peer support for mothers was contextualized in southern Sweden. The objective of the project was to support expectant women and mothers of young children in immigrant communities to access public services that would benefit maternal and child health. This study aimed to assess how the intervention was implemented, what the contextual barriers and facilitators were, and how the implementation was perceived by those who delivered and received it. Methods The study used mixed methods with a convergent parallel design and followed the Medical Research Council guidance on process evaluations of complex interventions. Semi-structured interviews (n = 19) were conducted with peer supporters, client mothers, and key stakeholders involved in the intervention. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data on peer supporters' activities were collected during contacts with client mothers and were presented descriptively. Results The five peer supporters had 1,294 contacts with client mothers, of which 507 were first-time contacts. The reach was perceived as wide, and the dose of the intervention was tailored to individual needs. Barriers to implementation included community mistrust of social services, norms on gender roles and parenting, and funding challenges. The implementation was facilitated by the organization's reputation, network, experience, and third-sector affiliation. Peer supporters tended to prioritize linking clients to other services over the educational components of the intervention, sometimes doing more than what was originally planned. Implementation strategies used included building trust, using multiple outreach venues, using internal support structures, and providing practical assistance as an entry point to comprehensive psychosocial support. The personal connection between peer supporters and clients was highly valued, and the building of relationships enabled them to address sensitive topics. Peer supporters sometimes experienced a blurred line between professional and personal roles. Conclusions Peer supporters used a variety of strategies to navigate identified barriers and facilitators. Trust was central both as a contextual factor and a strategy for implementation. It is valuable to maintain a balance between flexibility and adherence to the function of peer supporters. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of the intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Kåks
- SWEDESD, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Linnea Stansert Katzen
- SWEDESD, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mats Målqvist
- SWEDESD, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Bergström
- SWEDESD, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sibylle Herzig van Wees
- SWEDESD, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Blas MM, Reinders S, Alva A, Neuman M, Lange I, Huicho L, Ronsmans C. Effect of the Mamás del Río programme on essential newborn care: a three-year before-and-after outcome evaluation of a community-based, maternal and neonatal health intervention in the Peruvian Amazon. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2023; 28:100634. [PMID: 38076412 PMCID: PMC10701122 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Background Despite remarkable progress in maternal and neonatal health, regional inequalities persist in Peru. In rural areas of Amazonian Loreto, access to quality care is difficult, home births are frequent, and neonatal mortality is high. We conducted a prospective before-and-after study to assess the effect after implementation and over time of a community-based intervention on essential newborn care (ENC). Methods Mamás del Río consists of tablet-enhanced educational home visits by Community health workers (CHW) to pregnant women and mothers of newborns, with supportive training on ENC of traditional birth attendants and facility staff. The study area comprised 79 rural communities of three districts in Loreto. Primary outcomes were ENC practices in home births, secondary outcomes were ENC in facility births as well as healthcare seeking, measured at baseline before and at year 2 and year 3 after intervention implementation. Community censuses included questionnaires to women aged 15-49 years with a live birth. We calculated prevalence of outcomes at each time point and estimated adjusted prevalence differences (PD) between time points using post-estimation based on logistic regression. Findings Following implementation early 2019, 97% of communities had a trained CHW. At year 2 follow-up, 63% (322/530) of women received a CHW visit during pregnancy. Seven out of nine ENC indicators among home births improved, with largest adjusted prevalence differences in immediate skin-to-skin contact (50% [95% CI: 42-58], p < 0.0001), colostrum feeding (45% [35-54], p < 0.0001), and cord care (19% [10-28], p = 0.0001). Improvements were maintained at year 3, except for cord care. At year 2, among facility births only three ENC indicators improved, while more women gave birth in a facility. Sensitivity analyses showed ENC prevalence was similar before compared to after onset of Covid-19 lockdown. Interpretation ENC practices in home births improved consistently and changes were sustained over time, despite the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. A community-based approach for behaviour-change in home-based newborn care appears effective. Process evaluation of mechanisms will help to explain observed effects and understand transferability of findings. Funding Grand Challenges Canada and Peruvian National Council of Science and Technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magaly M. Blas
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Stefan Reinders
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Angela Alva
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Isabelle Lange
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Luis Huicho
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Materna e Infantil, Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral y Sostenible, and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Carine Ronsmans
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Baynes C, Kanté AM, Exavery A, Tani K, Sikustahili G, Mushi H, Baraka J, Ramsey K, Sherr K, Weiner BJ, Phillips JF. The implementation and effectiveness of multi-tasked, paid community health workers on maternal and child health: A cluster-randomized pragmatic trial and qualitative process evaluation in Tanzania. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002050. [PMID: 37725612 PMCID: PMC10508634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Community health worker programs have proliferated worldwide based on evidence that they help prevent mortality, particularly among children. However, there is limited evidence from randomized studies on the processes and effectiveness of implementing community health worker programs through public health systems. This paper describes the results of a cluster-randomized pragmatic implementation trial (registration number ISRCTN96819844) and qualitative process evaluation of a community health worker program in Tanzania that was implemented from 2011-2015. Program effects on maternal, newborn and child health service utilization, childhood morbidity and sick childcare seeking were evaluated using difference-in-difference regression analysis with outcomes measured through pre- and post-intervention household surveys in intervention and comparison trial arms. A qualitative process evaluation was conducted between 2012 and 2014 and comprised of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with community health workers, community members, facility-based health workers and staff of district health management teams. The community health worker program reduced incidence of illness and improved access to timely and appropriate curative care for children under five; however, there was no effect on facility-based maternal and newborn health service utilization. The positive outcomes occurred because of high levels of acceptability of community health workers within communities, as well as the durability of community health workers' motivation and confidence. Implementation factors that generated these effects were the engagement of communities in program startup; the training, remuneration and supervision of the community health workers from the local health system and community. The lack of program effects on maternal and newborn health service utilization at facilities were attributed to lapses in the availability of needed care at facilities. Strategies that strengthen and align communities' and health systems core capacities, and their ability to learn, adapt and integrate evidence-based interventions, are needed to maximize the health impact of community health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Baynes
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Almamy Malick Kanté
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | | | - Kassimu Tani
- Ifakara Health Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Kate Ramsey
- Scope Impact, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Sherr
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Bryan J. Weiner
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - James F. Phillips
- Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
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Ogutu MO, Kamui E, Abuya T, Muraya K. "We are their eyes and ears here on the ground, yet they do not appreciate us"-Factors influencing the performance of Kenyan community health volunteers working in urban informal settlements. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001815. [PMID: 37578950 PMCID: PMC10424859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
This study explored factors that influence CHV performance in urban informal settlements (UIS) within Nairobi Kenya and ways in which CHVs can be supported to enhance their wellbeing and strengthen community strategies. The study was undertaken in two UIS within Nairobi County. Thirteen focus group discussions and three key informant interviews were conducted with a range of respondents. Various topics covering the design of the Community Health Strategy (CHS) and broader contextual factors that affect CHVs' performance, were discussed and data analysed using a framework analysis approach. The key programme design factors identified as influencing the performance of CHVs working in UIS included: CHV recruitment; training; availability of supplies and resources; and remuneration of CHVs. Health system factors that influenced CHVs performance included: nature of relationship between healthcare workers at local referral facilities and community members; availability of services and perceived corruption at referral facilities; and CHV referral outside of the local health facility. Whereas the broader contextual factors that affected CHV performance included: demand for material or financial support; perceived corruption in community programmes; and neighbourhood insecurity. These findings suggest that CHVs working in UIS in Kenya face a myriad of challenges that impact their wellbeing and performance. Therefore, to enhance CHVs' well-being and improve their performance, the following should be considered: adequate and timely remuneration for CHVs, appropriate holistic training, adequate supportive supervision, and ensuring a satisfactory supply of resources and supplies. Additionally, at the facility level, healthcare workers should be trained on appropriate and respectful relations with both the community and the CHVs, clarity of roles and scope of work, ensure availability of services, and safeguard against corrupt practices in public health facilities. Lastly, there's a need for improved and adequate security measures at the community level, to ensure safety of CHVs as they undertake their roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael O. Ogutu
- Health Systems & Research Ethics Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric Kamui
- Health Systems & Research Ethics Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Kui Muraya
- Health Systems & Research Ethics Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Population Council, Nairobi, Kenya
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Owusu L, Tuwor RD, Ackam N, Loglo A, Agbavor B, Agbanyo A, Dornu O, Antwi PB, Oppong MN, Adjei JK, Frimpong V, Abass MK, Novignon J, Asiedu K, Laryea DO, Amoako YA, Phillips RO. Role and capacity needs of community based surveillance volunteers in the integrated management of skin neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs): a qualitative study from central Ghana. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1086. [PMID: 37280609 PMCID: PMC10243008 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16015-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community Based Surveillance Volunteers (CBSVs) have been instrumental in the management of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) but a concern that their services in scale up programmes may be affected due to high attrition rates has been widely acknowledged. We explored the roles and capacity needs of existing CBSVs to inform for a successful integrated NTD management programme in Ghana and similar contexts. METHODS We conducted qualitative interviews with 50 CBSVs, 21 Community Nurses, 4 Disease control officers, 7 skin NTD researchers, 2 skin NTD patients and a Director of District Health Services in Central Ghana. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and coded prior to translation and thematic analysis. RESULTS The roles of CBSVs in NTD management were shown to have an impact on disease identification, surveillance, health seeking behaviours and status of CBSVs. Lack of motivation, inadequate structures for engagement of CBSVs within the health system and delayed management of reported cases were identified as gaps that hinder effective delivery of CBSV roles. Provision of incentives as recognition for the unpaid services rendered by CBSVs was seen as a major factor to reduce the rate of CBSV attrition in this scale up programme. Other factors included the formulation of policies by government to guide CBSV engagement, regular training of CBSV in NTD management as well as provision of resources and logistics. CONCLUSION Measures including continuous training, institution of rewards and incentivization are important for ensuring the sustainability of CBSVs in the provision of skin NTD services in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ruth Dede Tuwor
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Nancy Ackam
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Aloysius Loglo
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Bernadette Agbavor
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Abigail Agbanyo
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Olivia Dornu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philemon Boasiako Antwi
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Ntiamoah Oppong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jonathan Kofi Adjei
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Venus Frimpong
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Jacob Novignon
- Department of Economics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Yaw Ampem Amoako
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Richard Odame Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
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Savas LS, Loomba P, Shegog R, Alaniz A, Costa C, Adlparvar E, Allicock MA, Chenier R, Goetz M, Markham CM, Fernandez ME. Using Implementation Mapping to increase uptake and use of Salud en Mis Manos: A breast and cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination intervention for Latinas. Front Public Health 2023; 11:966553. [PMID: 37020813 PMCID: PMC10069633 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.966553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite CDC recommendations for breast and cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, cancer control behaviors are underutilized among low-income Latinas. Salud en Mis Manos (SEMM), adapted from Cultivando La Salud, is a community health worker- (CHW-) delivered evidence-based intervention (EBI), shown to increase breast and cervical cancer screening. Methods We used Implementation Mapping to create SEMM-Dissemination and Implementation Assistance (SEMM-DIA), a set of implementation strategies designed to support implementation and maintenance of SEMM in clinic settings. Specifically, we used Implementation Mapping's five iterative tasks to guide the use of theories and frameworks, evidence, new data, and stakeholder input to develop strategies to accelerate and improve implementation fidelity, reach, and maintenance of the SEMM intervention. The resulting implementation mapping logic model also guides the SEMM-DIA evaluation plan to assess reach, effectiveness, implementation, and maintenance. Discussion Increased use of implementation planning frameworks is necessary to accelerate the translation of EBIs to public health practice. This work demonstrates the application of Implementation Mapping to develop SEMM-DIA, providing a model for the development of other implementation strategies to support translation of evidence-based health promotion interventions into clinic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara S. Savas
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Preena Loomba
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ross Shegog
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Angelita Alaniz
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Crystal Costa
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Emily Adlparvar
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Marlyn A. Allicock
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, UTHealth School of Public Health, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Roshanda Chenier
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Christine M. Markham
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria E. Fernandez
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UTHealth School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
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Rahman M, Uddin MF, Ahmed T, Sarma H. Market-based approach to promoting home fortification of diets with micronutrient powder through volunteer frontline health workers: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283306. [PMID: 36952455 PMCID: PMC10035874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The potential of market-based approach in distributing micronutrient powder (MNP) through volunteer frontline health workers has been recognized. BRAC, the largest non-government organization (NGO) in Bangladesh, uses Shasthya Shebikas as volunteer frontline health workers to sell MNP for promotion of home fortification (HF) of diets for under-5 children. We aimed to understand the opportunities and challenges of BRAC's market-based approach in promoting HF with MNP. METHODS We conducted a descriptive qualitative study in the four selected districts of Bangladesh: Faridpur, Gaibandha, Rangpur, and Rajbari. In-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions were deployed to collect data from purposively-selected Shasthya Shebikas and their immediate supervisors at the field level-Shasthya Kormis, Field Organizers, Managers, and mothers or caregivers of under-5 children. We performed thematic analysis to analyze data. RESULTS We have found that the Shasthya Shebikas play a critical role in promoting access of MNP by the mother/caregivers of children aged 6-59 months at the community level. They counsel the caregivers to seek primary advice about the product and also informally identify undernourished children so that they can receive special attention regarding the use of MNP. However, low profit margins, over-due payments for the sold sachets, poor collaboration with and free distribution of MNP by other NGOs, and inadequate training of Shasthya Shebikas on marketing of MNP have posed major challenges for them to perform as effective sales agents of the product. CONCLUSION The market-based approach in promoting HF with MNP through frontline volunteer health workers shows much potential, with ample opportunities and few possible challenges. Considering the dynamics, the intervention should fine-tune the factors crucial to maximizing the potentials of Shasthya Shebikas for marketing MNP and promoting HF in order to improve nutrition status of the infants and young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahfuzur Rahman
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Fakhar Uddin
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Haribondhu Sarma
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Lar L, Stewart M, Isiyaku S, Dean L, Ozano K, Mpyet C, Theobald S. Does inter-border conflict influence the views of task sharing among community health volunteers in Nigeria? A qualitative study. Confl Health 2022; 16:43. [PMID: 35871004 PMCID: PMC9308912 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-022-00472-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Volunteer community health workers are increasingly being engaged in Nigeria, through the World Health Organization’s task sharing strategy. This strategy aims to address gaps in human resources for health, including inequitable distribution of health workers. Recent conflicts in rural and fragile border communities in northcentral Nigeria create challenges for volunteer community health workers to meet their community's increasing health needs. This study aimed to explore the perception of volunteers involved in task sharing to understand factors affecting performance and delivery in such contexts. Methods This was a qualitative study conducted in fragile border communities in north central Nigeria. Eighteen audio recorded, semi-structured interviews with volunteers and supervisors were performed. Their perceptions on how task sharing and allocation of tasks affect performance and delivery were elucidated. The transactional social framework was applied during the thematic analysis process to generate an explanatory account of the research data, which was analysed using NVivo software. Results Promotive and preventive tasks were shared among the predominantly agrarian respondents. There was a structured task allocation process that linked the community with the health system and mainly cordial relationships were in place. However, there were barriers related to ethnoreligious crises and current conflict, timing of task allocations, gender inequities in volunteerism, shortage of commodities, inadequate incentives, dwindling community support and negative attitudes of some volunteers. Conclusion The perception of task sharing was mainly positive, despite the challenges, especially the current conflict. In this fragile context, reconsideration of non-seasonal task allocations within improved community-driven selection and security systems should be encouraged. Supportive supervision and providing adequate and timely renumeration will also be beneficial in this fragile setting.
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13
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Alonso Y, Lusengi W, Manun'Ebo MF, Rasoamananjaranahary AM, Rivontsoa NM, Mucavele E, Torres N, Sacoor C, Okebalama H, Agbor UJ, Nwankwo O, Meremikwu M, Roman E, Pagnoni F, Menéndez C, Munguambe K, Enguita-Fernàndez C. The social dimensions of community delivery of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-010079. [PMID: 36319032 PMCID: PMC9628536 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp) is a key malaria prevention strategy in sub-Saharan African countries. We conducted an anthropological study as part of a project aiming to evaluate a community-based approach to the delivery of IPTp (C-IPTp) through community health workers (CHWs) in four countries (the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique and Nigeria), to understand the social context in order to identify key factors that could influence C-IPTp acceptability. METHODS A total of 796 in-depth interviews and 265 focus group discussions were undertaken between 2018 and 2021 in the four countries with pregnant women, women of reproductive age, traditional and facility-based healthcare providers, community leaders, and relatives of pregnant women. These were combined with direct observations (388) including both community-based and facility-based IPTp delivery. Grounded theory guided the overall study design and data collection, and data were analysed following a combination of content and thematic analysis. RESULTS A series of key factors were found to influence acceptability, delivery and uptake of C-IPTp in project countries. Cross-cutting findings include the alignment of the strategy with existing social norms surrounding pregnancy and maternal health-seeking practices, the active involvement of influential and trusted actors in implementation activities, existing and sustained trust in CHWs, the influence of husbands and other relatives in pregnant women's care-seeking decision-making, the working conditions of CHWs, pregnant women's perceptions of SP for IPTp and persistent barriers to facility-based antenatal care access. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide evidence on the reported acceptability of C-IPTp among a wide range of actors, as well as the barriers and facilitators for delivery and uptake of the intervention. Overall, C-IPTp was accepted by the targeted communities, supporting the public health value of community-based interventions, although the barriers identified should be examined if large-scale implementation of the intervention is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Alonso
- ISGlobal Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Wade Lusengi
- Bureau d'Étude et de Gestion de l'Information Statistique (BEGIS), Kinshasa, Congo
| | - Manu F Manun'Ebo
- Bureau d'Étude et de Gestion de l'Information Statistique (BEGIS), Kinshasa, Congo
| | | | | | - Estêvão Mucavele
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Neusa Torres
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Charfudin Sacoor
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Hope Okebalama
- Cross River Health and Demographic Surveillance System, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Ugo James Agbor
- Cross River Health and Demographic Surveillance System, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Ogonna Nwankwo
- Department of Community Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Martin Meremikwu
- Cross River Health and Demographic Surveillance System, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Elaine Roman
- JHPIEGO, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Franco Pagnoni
- ISGlobal Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Menéndez
- ISGlobal Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
| | - Khátia Munguambe
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique.,Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University, Maputo, Mozambique
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Kelly CB, Hemat S, Naziri M, Yousufi K, Edmond KM. Community health worker service delivery for maternal and child health: an observational study from Afghanistan. Arch Dis Child 2022; 107:726-731. [PMID: 34916219 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-322968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the reach of the community health worker (CHW) programme in remote and non-remote districts of Afghanistan. METHODS Using data collected from the Ministry of Public Health's National Health Management Information System, we conducted a population-based study from 2018 to 2019 in 401 districts across 34 provinces of Afghanistan. We assessed the availability of CHWs, antenatal visits (ANV) and postnatal visits (PNV) conducted by the CHWs, and the availability of CHW supplies. Districts were classified as remote if the district centre was >2 hours by any form of transport from provincial capital, and non-remote if <2 hours. Data were analysed using multivariable regression models. RESULTS 15 562 CHWs were working in the districts of Afghanistan, 13 482 (87%) in remote and 2080 (13%) in non-remote districts. The mean of the proportion of CHWs per pregnant woman was higher in remote (0.019 (SD 0.011)) compared with non-remote (0.012 (SD 0.006)) districts (adjusted mean difference (AMD) 0.008, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.01). The mean of the proportion of ANVs received from a CHW per pregnant women was higher in remote (0.88 (SD 0.82)) compared with non-remote (0.62 (SD 0.50)) districts (AMD 0.28, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.54). The mean of the proportion of PNVs received from a CHW per pregnant women was higher in remote (0.54 (SD 0.53)) compared with non-remote (0.36 (SD 0.25)) districts (AMD 0.19, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.36). The mean of the proportion of CHWs who reported that they had stocks of cotrimoxazole and oral contraceptives in the previous month per district was higher in remote compared with non-remote districts. CONCLUSIONS In Afghanistan, the CHW programme appears to be effective and proportionate to need in remote regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare B Kelly
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Karen M Edmond
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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15
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Stansert Katzen L, Skeen S, Dippenaar E, Laurenzi C, Notholi V, le Roux K, Rotheram-Borus MJ, le Roux I, Mbewu N, Tomlinson M. Are we listening to community health workers? Experiences of the community health worker journey in rural South Africa. Res Nurs Health 2022; 45:380-389. [PMID: 35184308 PMCID: PMC9271365 DOI: 10.1002/nur.22220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Access to healthcare in developing countries remains a challenge. As a result, task-shifting to community health workers (CHWs) is increasingly used to mitigate healthcare worker shortages. Although there is solid evidence of CHW program effectiveness, less is known about CHWs' experiences of becoming and then working daily as CHWs-information that should play an important role in the design of CHW programs. We examined the experiences of a group of CHWs working in a government-run CHW program in South Africa's rural Eastern Cape Province. Semistructured qualitative interviews (N = 9) and focus groups (N = 2) focusing on motivations for becoming a CHW and experiences of working as CHWs were conducted and thematically analyzed. Three themes were identified: (1) becoming a CHW, (2) facing challenges in the field, and (3) gaining community acceptance through respect and legitimacy. In this study, CHWs were motivated by altruism and a desire to help their community. They faced a range of challenges such as limited training, lack of supervision, equipment shortages, logistical issues, and clinics with limited services. Respect and legitimacy through community acceptance and trust is crucial for effective CHW work. CHWs in this study described how confidentiality and their own persistence facilitated the process of gaining respect and legitimacy. CHWs have a unique knowledge of contexts and requirements for successful programs and greater efforts are needed to include their perspectives to improve and develop programs. Recognition is needed to acknowledge the significant personal input required by CHWs for programs to be successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Stansert Katzen
- Department of Global Health, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sarah Skeen
- Department of Global Health, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elaine Dippenaar
- Department of Global Health, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christina Laurenzi
- Department of Global Health, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vuyolwethu Notholi
- Department of Global Health, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Karl le Roux
- Department of Global Health, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ingrid le Roux
- Philani Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Trust, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nokwanele Mbewu
- Philani Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Trust, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark Tomlinson
- Department of Global Health, Institute for Life Course Health Research, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University, Belfast, UK
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Khalid A, Adamjee R, Sattar S, Hoodbhoy Z. Maternal and child surveillance in peri-urban communities: Perceptions of women and community health workers from Pakistan. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000295. [PMID: 36962403 PMCID: PMC10021568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Community health workers (CHWs) in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) programs play an important role in demographic surveillance activities; however, there is lack of literature regarding the community and CHWs' perceptions about these activities. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of married women of reproductive age (MWRA) regarding the role of CHWs involved in maternal and child surveillance and explore facilitators and barriers for CHWs involved in surveillance activities. A qualitative study was conducted in five peri-urban surveillance sites along the coastal belt of Bin Qasim Town, Karachi, Pakistan. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 randomly selected MWRAs and 15 CHWs. A thematic analysis was performed to explore perceptions, barriers, and facilitators of the study participants about maternal and child surveillance activities. The results showed that MWRAs perceived surveillance CHWs as service providers with regards to standard counselling i.e. importance of antenatal care, nutrition, immunization, and distribution of iron and folic acid tablets to pregnant women, child growth assessment, and referral of sick children to the health facility. Trust in the CHWs was an enabler for MWRAs, whereas lack of incentives was cited as a barrier to share their health data. CHWs perceived themselves as a bridge in liaising community with the primary health care facility. They highlighted an enabling environment such as appreciation, supportive supervision, training, and utilization of digital data collection tools as facilitators for their work. Low health literacy of the communities, lack of provision of incentives by CHWs to the community, and facility-based experiences of the community were reported as barriers. Surveillance CHWs are an integral link between the health facility and MWRAs. Hence an enabling environment may lead to improved health service delivery, translating into meaningful impact for the mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Khalid
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Rehan Adamjee
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Saima Sattar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Zahra Hoodbhoy
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
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Huda MN, Hailemariam TG, Hossain SZ, Malo JS, Khan S, Hadisuyatmana S, Ferdous A, Akombi-Inyang B, Islam RM, Renzaho AMN. Medical waste management-related factors affecting health and experiences of health risks among medical waste handlers in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol of qualitative studies. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e056037. [PMID: 35301210 PMCID: PMC8931793 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medical waste management (MWM)-related factors affecting the health of medical waste handlers (MWHs) and their health risks in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are an important public health concern. Although studies of MWM-related factors and health risks among MWHs in LMICs are available, literature remains undersynthesised and knowledge fragmented. This systematic review will provide a comprehensive synthesis of evidence regarding the individual, system and policy-level MWM-related factors that affect MWHs' health and their experiences of health risks in LMICs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS All qualitative studies published in peer-reviewed journals between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2021 with full texts available and accessible will be included in the review. Seven specific electronic databases (eg, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, CINAHL, ProQuest and PsycINFO) will be searched. Two authors will review the citations and full texts, extract data and complete the quality appraisal independently. A third reviewer will check discrepancies when a consensus cannot be reached on differences between the two reviewers. Data extraction will be conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute standardised data extraction form for qualitative research. The quality of articles will be assessed using a Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Results from eligible articles will be synthesised into a set of findings using the thematic framework analysis approach and will be reported according to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research statement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This review is based on published articles, which does not require ethical approval because there is no collection of primary data. Findings from this review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant public health conferences. This protocol has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020226851.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Nazmul Huda
- School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS), Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbeltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Syeda Zakia Hossain
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Sajedul Khan
- School of Social Work, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Afsana Ferdous
- Department of Political Science, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Rakibul M Islam
- School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- South Asian Institute for Social Transformation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Andre M N Renzaho
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
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18
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Bhattacharjya S, Lenker J, Ghosh R. Assessing the usefulness of an mHealth strategy to support implementation of multi-faceted adaptive feeding interventions by community-based rehabilitation workers. Assist Technol 2022:1-7. [DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2022.2028936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - James Lenker
- University at Buffalo, Dept. of Rehabilitation Science, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Rabi Ghosh
- Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Mitchell H, Lim R, Gill PK, Dhanoa J, Dubé È, Bettinger JA. What do adolescents think about vaccines? Systematic review of qualitative studies. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0001109. [PMID: 36962668 PMCID: PMC10022047 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence presents a key opportunity to build vaccine-related health literacy and promote vaccine confidence and uptake. Although adolescents are central to vaccination programs, their views around vaccines are frequently underrepresented in qualitative literature. We reviewed qualitative studies to systematically identify and summarize existing evidence on adolescents' own understanding of vaccines and experiences with vaccine decision-making, including self-consent when applicable. CINAHL; Embase; Ovid Medline; and Psych Info database searches were last updated on May 28, 2022. Data pertaining to general study characteristics, participant demographics, and qualitative content were extracted independently by two reviewers and analyzed using textual narrative synthesis. Out of 3559 individual records, 59 studies were included. The majority of the studies were conducted in high-income countries and 75% focused on human papilloma virus vaccines, with the remaining studies looking at COVID-19, meningococcal, hepatitis B and influenza vaccines or adolescent experiences with vaccines in general. Adolescent self-consent was explored in 7 studies. Perspectives from sexual and gender minorities were lacking across studies. Adolescents often had limited understanding of different vaccines and commonly perceived vaccine information to be directed towards their parents rather than themselves. Many adolescents felt school-based vaccine education and information available through healthcare providers were insufficient to make informed decisions about vaccines. While adolescents described obtaining vaccine information from traditional and online media, face-to-face interactions and opinions from trusted adults remained important. Adolescents generally relied on their parents for vaccine-decision making, even when self-consent was an option. A notable exception to this included marginalized adolescents who could not rely on parents for health-related advice. Qualitative literature about adolescent vaccines would be enriched by studies examining vaccines other than the HPV vaccine, studies examining adolescent vaccine programs in low and middle-income countries, and by deliberately eliciting vaccine experiences of adolescent with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Mitchell
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rebecca Lim
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Prubjot K Gill
- University of British Columbia Library, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joban Dhanoa
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ève Dubé
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Québec City, Canada
| | - Julie A Bettinger
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Colvin CJ. Understanding global health policy engagements with qualitative research: Qualitative evidence syntheses and the OptimizeMNH guidelines. Soc Sci Med 2021; 300:114678. [PMID: 34980487 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Systematic reviews of qualitative evidence-or 'qualitative evidence syntheses' (QES)-have recently become an important form of knowledge production within the broader projects of 'evidence-based medicine' (EBM) and 'evidence-informed policymaking' in global health. Proponents of QES argue that these reviews offer a way to promote 'health systems thinking' and build a better understanding of local process and context in global health policy- and decision-making. EBM's detailed technical procedures for evidence synthesis, however, do not necessarily fit well with conventional qualitative research paradigms and there are concerns that subjecting qualitative research to EBM's logics and practices might fatally compromise both its epistemological integrity and political impact. This article addresses these concerns via a reflective case study of the use of qualitative evidence in the World Health Organization's (WHO) OptimizeMNH guidelines for task shifting in maternal and newborn health programs. When I first joined the team developing the evidence base for these health systems-oriented guidelines, I wondered whether the inclusion of qualitative research would result in a broadening of the forms of reason, experience and judgment that informed global health policy, or instead, be another disheartening example of how modern bureaucratic systems coopt, standardize, and complexity-reduce the alternative logics they encounter. While the integration of qualitative evidence did come at some cost to the depth and critical insights of the evidence we were reviewing, there were also important ways in which the technical procedures of evidence-based medicine were open to adaptation and transformation. The formal inclusion of qualitative evidence syntheses in these global guidelines did not represent-or produce-a dramatic about-turn in global health policy's hegemonic discourses and practices. It did reveal, however, that powerful systems of health governance like the WHO and evidence-based medicine are not inevitably closed, but in fact open to change, in often unpredictable ways.
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Young M, Ross A, Sheriff A, Deas L, Gnich W. Child health interventions delivered by lay health workers to parents: A realist review. J Child Health Care 2021; 25:628-646. [PMID: 33496625 DOI: 10.1177/1367493520983124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing body of evidence that lay health worker (LHW) interventions are a cost-effective model of care which can improve health outcomes and reduce the burden on existing health and community services. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of information to specify which intervention characteristics contribute to their success. This realist review aimed to identify how, why and in what context UK-based LHW interventions aimed at improving child health parenting behaviours can lead to health promoting behaviour and improve child health outcomes. Results show that the 'peerness' of the LHW role gives parents a sense of equality with, and trust in, LHWs which facilitates continued engagement with interventions and sustained positive behaviour. Training and support is crucial to retention of LHWs, enhancing confidence and perceived value of the role in the context of the intervention. LHW interventions which are embedded within communities as a result of stakeholder buy-in demonstrate stable models of delivery and ease the burden on existing health and community services. In conclusion, this review found that LHW interventions can positively influence child health parenting behaviours in certain contexts and provide programme theory to inform future development of LHW interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mairi Young
- Glasgow Centre for Population Health, 3526University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alastair Ross
- Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, 3526University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrea Sheriff
- Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, 3526University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Leigh Deas
- Public Dental Service, 3077NHS Lanarkshire, Glasgow, UK
| | - Wendy Gnich
- Glasgow Dental School, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, 3526University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Ogutu M, Muraya K, Mockler D, Darker C. Factors influencing the performance of community health volunteers working within urban informal settlements in low- and middle-income countries: a qualitative meta-synthesis review. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2021; 19:144. [PMID: 34838044 PMCID: PMC8626887 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-021-00691-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited information on community health volunteer (CHV) programmes in urban informal settlements in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This is despite such settings accounting for a high burden of disease. Many factors intersect to influence the performance of CHVs working in urban informal settlements in LMICs. This review was conducted to identify both the programme level and contextual factors influencing performance of CHVs working in urban informal settlements in LMICs. METHODS Four databases were searched for qualitative and mixed method studies focusing on CHVs working in urban and peri-urban informal settlements in LMICs. We focused on CHV programme outcome measures at CHV individual level. A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria and were double read to extract relevant data. Thematic coding was conducted, and data synthesized across ten categories of both programme and contextual factors influencing CHV performance. Quality was assessed using both the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool (MMAST); and certainty of evidence evaluated using the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (CERQual) approach. RESULTS Key programme-level factors reported to enhance CHV performance in urban informal settlements in LMICs included both financial and non-financial incentives, training, the availability of supplies and resources, health system linkage, family support, and supportive supervision. At the broad contextual level, factors found to negatively influence the performance of CHVs included insecurity in terms of personal safety and the demand for financial and material support by households within the community. These factors interacted to shape CHV performance and impacted on implementation of CHV programmes in urban informal settlements. CONCLUSION This review identified the influence of both programme-level and contextual factors on CHVs working in both urban and peri-urban informal settlements in LMICs. The findings suggest that programmes working in such settings should consider adequate remuneration for CHVs, integrated and holistic training, adequate supplies and resources, adequate health system linkages, family support and supportive supervision. In addition, programmes should also consider CHV personal safety issues and the community expectations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ogutu
- Health Systems & Research Ethics Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O Box 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
- Trinity Centre for Global Health, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kui Muraya
- Health Systems & Research Ethics Department, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O Box 43640-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David Mockler
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine Darker
- Public Health & Primary Care, Institute of Population Health, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Hodgins S, Kok M, Musoke D, Lewin S, Crigler L, LeBan K, Perry HB. Community health workers at the dawn of a new era: 1. Introduction: tensions confronting large-scale CHW programmes. Health Res Policy Syst 2021; 19:109. [PMID: 34641886 PMCID: PMC8506102 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-021-00752-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community health worker (CHW) programmes are again receiving more attention in global health, as reflected in important recent WHO guidance. However, there is a risk that current CHW programme efforts may result in disappointing performance if those promoting and delivering them fail to learn from past efforts. This is the first of a series of 11 articles for a supplement entitled "Community Health Workers at the Dawn of a New Era". METHODS Drawing on lessons from case studies of large well-established CHW programmes, published literature, and the authors' experience, the paper highlights major issues that need to be acknowledged to design and deliver effective CHW programmes at large scale. The paper also serves as an introduction to a set of articles addressing these issues in detail. RESULTS The article highlights the diversity and complexity of CHW programmes, and offers insights to programme planners, policymakers, donors, and others to inform development of more effective programmes. The article proposes that be understood as actors within community health system(s) and examines five tensions confronting large-scale CHW programmes; the first two tensions concern the role of the CHW, and the remaining three, broader strategic issues: 1) What kind of an actor is the CHW? A lackey or a liberator? Provider of clinical services or health promoter? 2) Lay versus professional? 3) Government programme at scale or nongovernmental organization-led demonstration project? 4) Standardized versus tailored to context? 5) Vertical versus horizontal? CONCLUSION CHWs can play a vital role in primary healthcare, but multiple conditions need to be met for them to reach their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Hodgins
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maryse Kok
- Department of Global Health, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David Musoke
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Simon Lewin
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo Town, Norway
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lauren Crigler
- Crigler Consulting, LLC, Hillsborough, NC, United States of America
| | - Karen LeBan
- Independent Consultant, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Henry B Perry
- Health Systems Program, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.
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Onchonga D, Alfatafta H, Ngetich E, Makunda W. Health-seeking behaviour among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07972. [PMID: 34541362 PMCID: PMC8432977 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The novel coronavirus pandemic has killed millions of people globally while significantly destroying the social, economic, and political wellbeing of people. The global pandemic has negatively impacted pregnant women's access to prenatal care. The current study sought to understand the health-seeking behaviour of women who were pregnant during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. Methods The “Three Delay” model theoretical framework was applied to piece together the pregnant women's health-seeking behaviour during the early stages of the pandemic through focus group discussions. The collected qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results The delays in deciding to seek care, delays in reaching healthcare facilities and delays in receiving quality healthcare services at the healthcare facility were a result of the fear of contracting the virus. These delays were occasioned by participants’ personal experiences and uncertainties about COVID-19 pandemic, compulsory quarantines, national cessation of movements, compulsory lockdowns, loss of income to many households and the influence of traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Conclusion The current study found that fear of COVID-19 was a major factor that hindered access to maternal healthcare services. In this regard, there is a need to upscale awareness creation on the significance of seeking maternal health services during the pandemic to reduce the possibility of obliterating the gains made in reducing poor health-seeking behaviours among pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Onchonga
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Hungary
| | - Huda Alfatafta
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Hungary
| | - Enoch Ngetich
- School of Public Health, Mount Kenya University-Nairobi, Kenya
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Closser S, Mendenhall E, Brown P, Neill R, Justice J. The anthropology of health systems: A history and review. Soc Sci Med 2021; 300:114314. [PMID: 34400012 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ethnographies of health systems are a theoretically rich and rapidly growing area within medical anthropology. Critical ethnographic work dating back to the 1950s has taken policymakers and health staff as points of entry into the power structures that run through the global health enterprise. In the last decade, there has been a surge of ethnographic work on health systems. We conceptualize the anthropology of health systems as a field; review the history of this body of knowledge; and outline emergent literatures on policymaking, HIV, hospitals, Community Health Workers, health markets, pharmaceuticals, and metrics. High-quality ethnographic work is an excellent way to understand the complex systems that shape health outcomes, and provides a critical vantage point for thinking about global health policy and systems. As theory in this space develops and deepens, we argue that anthropologists should look beyond the discipline to think through what their work does and why it matters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svea Closser
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Rm E5545, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Emily Mendenhall
- Science, Technology and International Affairs Program, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, USA
| | - Peter Brown
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, USA
| | - Rachel Neill
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
| | - Judith Justice
- Institute for Health and Aging, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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Nelson C, Madiba S. Barriers to the Implementation of the Ward-Based Outreach Team Program in Mpumalanga Province: Results From Process Evaluation. J Prim Care Community Health 2021; 11:2150132720975552. [PMID: 33213270 PMCID: PMC7682205 DOI: 10.1177/2150132720975552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: South Africa adopted the ward-based outreach team (WBOT) program as one aspect of the three-stream approach to primary health care (PHC) re-engineering. PHC re-engineering seeks to modify the hospicentric and curative approach into a more preventive and promotive approach to improve health outcomes. There has not been an evaluation of the implementation of the WBOTs in Nkangala District since its inception in 2012. Methods: A process evaluation approach using qualitative methods was used to examine and describe the contextual, organizational, health provider, and program-related barriers considered to affect the implementation of the WBOTs 3 sub-districts in one of the health districts in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. The framework for this evaluation was informed by the logic model framework developed by the Center for Disease Control as well as the 3 domains of evaluation recommended by the Medical Research Council Guidance on process evaluation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with multiple data sources directly involved in the implementation of the WBOTs. A thematic analysis was done using NVivo 11. Results: The key critical barriers identified by the evaluation include the inadequate provision of resources, the lack of supervision, the heavy workload for outreach teams, the inadequate and irregular payment of stipends, threats to the safety of the CHWs, and the cultural beliefs and practices of the communities who are to receive the services. The lack of adequate financial resources was the main challenge, and will continue to pose a risk to the successful implementation of the WBOTs. Conclusions: Although the barriers are being reported as separate contextual factors, the internal and external contexts are interdependent, interact with one each other, and should not be considered in isolation. The need to improve stakeholder engagement on the WBOT program underscores the importance of the external context in the successful implementation of WBOTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Nelson
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sphiwe Madiba
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
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Gatuguta A, Colombini M, Seeley J, Soremekun S, Devries K. Supporting children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse to access services: Community health workers' experiences in Kenya. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 116:104244. [PMID: 31882066 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global health problem with significant health consequences. The World Health Organization recommends immediate and long-term treatment for all survivors. However, in low- and middle-income countries, less than 10 % of sexually abused children seek health services. Community health workers (CHWs) can potentially increase uptake of services, but, the risks and benefits of services provided by CHWs are poorly understood. METHODS Through in-depth interviews, we examined the experiences of CHWs providing services to children in Kenya. Sixteen CHWs were purposively selected from two locations. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. FINDINGS Nearly all the CHWs reported assisting children who had experienced sexual abuse. Children were brought to their attention by caregivers, neighbours, teachers, local authorities or the police. CHWs roles included providing information and advice, assisting the child to report to the police, access healthcare or find shelter. Multiple challenges were reported including lack of support from formal institutions; community norms; safety concerns; inadequate resources and interference from family, perpetrators and local authorities. Lack of protocols and training on how to handle children was evident. CONCLUSIONS CHWs are a crucial community-level resource for CSA survivors and their caregivers. However, community norms, lack of guidelines and training may compromise the quality of services provided. There is a significant gap in literature on service models for CHWs delivering CSA services. Data are lacking on what services CHWs can effectively offer, how they should be delivered and what factors may influence delivery, acceptance and uptake of services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gatuguta
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Manuela Colombini
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Janet Seeley
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Seyi Soremekun
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Karen Devries
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Ormel H, Oele G, Kok M, Oruko H, Oluoch B, Smet E, Indalo D. Reducing unmet need for contraceptive services among youth in Homabay and Narok counties, Kenya: the role of community health volunteers - a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:405. [PMID: 33933101 PMCID: PMC8088547 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06363-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Access to contraceptive services is a cornerstone of human well-being. While Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) promote family planning in Kenya, the unmet need for contraceptives among youth remains high. CHVs seem to pay little specific attention to the contraceptive needs of the youth. Methods We conducted a qualitative study exploring the role of CHVs in increasing access and uptake of contraceptive services among youth aged 18–24 years in Narok and Homabay Counties, Kenya. We undertook 37 interviews and 15 focus group discussions involving CHVs, youth, community members, community leaders, youth leaders and health programme managers. Data were recorded, transcribed, translated, coded and thematically analysed, according to a framework that included community, CHV and health system-related factors. Results CHVs often operated in traditional contexts that challenge contraceptive use among unmarried female and male youth and young married couples. Yet many CHVs seemed to have overcome this potential ‘barrier’ as well as reigning misconceptions about contraceptives. While private and facility-based public contraceptive services were somehow available, CHVs were the preferred service provider for many youth due to ease of access and saving time and transport costs. This was influenced by varied perceptions among youth of CHVs’ knowledge, skills and attitudes regarding contraceptives and provider-client interaction, and specifically their commitment to maintain confidentiality. Conclusions CHVs have the potential to increase access to contraceptives for young people, reducing unmet need for contraceptives. Their knowledge, skills and attitudes need strengthening through training and supervision, while incentives to motivate them and broadening the range of contraceptives they are allowed to offer should be considered. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06363-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermen Ormel
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, P.O. Box 95001, 1090, HA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - George Oele
- Amref Health Africa, P.O. Box 30125, 00100 , Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maryse Kok
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, P.O. Box 95001, 1090, HA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Happiness Oruko
- Amref Health Africa, P.O. Box 30125, 00100 , Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Beatrice Oluoch
- Amref Health Africa, P.O. Box 30125, 00100 , Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eefje Smet
- Amref Flying Doctors Netherlands, Schuttersveld 9, 2316, XG, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dorcus Indalo
- Amref Health Africa, P.O. Box 30125, 00100 , Wilson Airport, Nairobi, Kenya
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Barbe AG, Al-Barwari A, Hamacher S, Deinzer R, Weik U, Noack MJ. Effectiveness of brushing teeth in patients with reduced oral hygiene by laypeople: a randomized, controlled study. BMC Oral Health 2021; 21:225. [PMID: 33941170 PMCID: PMC8091671 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-01590-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To evaluate the success of plaque reduction after external toothbrushing by instructed laypeople versus dental professionals using either a manual or powered toothbrush. Longitudinal, randomized, parallel-group intervention study in periodontitis patients with reduced oral hygiene quality undergoing anti-infective therapy. Patients were randomly and equally assigned to one of four groups: laypeople using a manual or powered toothbrush or dental professionals using a manual or powered toothbrush. Plaque reduction (Quigley–Hein-Index (QHI), Marginal Plaque Index (MPI)), gingivitis (papilla bleeding index), and cleaning time (seconds) were investigated. Results Thirty-nine patients participated in the study. Neither the choice of toothbrush (p = 0.399) nor the use of a dental professional (p = 0.790) had a significant influence on plaque levels achieved. However, multivariate modeling indicated statistically significant differences in the external cleaning time between brushing groups, with longer time required by laypeople (p = 0.002) and longer use of the powered toothbrush (p = 0.024). Conclusion When the ability to carry out personal oral hygiene is reduced, external brushing by dental professionals or instructed laypeople who meet previously defined criteria such as sufficient personal oral hygiene at home could help to fill the emerging dental care gap. A combination of oral hygiene approaches adapted to the individual needs of the patients in need of external help is necessary for optimum oral hygiene.
Trial registration: German Clinical Trials register (https://www.germanctr.de; number DRKS00018779; date of registration 04/11/2019). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01590-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Greta Barbe
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Centre of Dental Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 32, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Aya Al-Barwari
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Centre of Dental Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 32, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hamacher
- Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology, University of Cologne, 50924, Cologne, Germany
| | - Renate Deinzer
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Klinikstr. 29, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Weik
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Klinikstr. 29, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael J Noack
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Centre of Dental Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 32, 50931, Cologne, Germany
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Burnett-Zieman B, Abuya T, Mwanga D, Wanyugu J, Warren CE, Sripad P. Community-based postnatal care services for women and newborns in Kenya: an opportunity to improve quality and access? J Glob Health 2021; 11:07006. [PMID: 33763220 PMCID: PMC7956153 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.07006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In resource-constrained settings, Community Health Workers (CHWs) are the first point of contact between communities and the health system, as providers of maternal and newborn health services. However, little is known of the quality of community-based postnatal care (PNC). We assessed the content of PNC provided by CHWs and women’s experiences of care in two Kenyan counties. Methods We used a cross-sectional, mixed methods design to examine the quality of PNC services provided by CHWs. Trained observers attended PNC home visits to assess technical quality using a 25-item checklist covering four PNC domains: infant health warning signs, maternal health warning signs, essential newborn care, and breastfeeding. The observers completed an 8-item communication quality checklist. We conducted follow-up surveys with observed PNC clients to assess their experiences of care. Finally, we used in-depth interviews with CHWs and focus group discussions with observed PNC clients to understand the experiential quality of care. Results Observations suggest shortcomings in the technical quality of PNC home visits. CHWs completed an average of 6.4 (standard deviation SD = 4.1) of the 25 PNC technical quality items. CHWs often lacked essential supplies, and only six percent carried all four of the CHW job aids and tools specified in the national guidelines for maternal health at community level. However, CHWs completed an average of 7.3 (SD = 1.1) of the 8 communication quality items, and most PNC clients (88%) reported being satisfied during follow-up interviews. Higher technical quality scores were associated with older mothers, better communication, longer visit duration, and CHWs who carried at least three job tools. CHWs expressed a strong sense of responsibility for care of their clients, while clients underscored how CHWs were trusted to maintain their clients’ confidentiality and were a valuable community resource. Conclusion This study identified gaps in the technical quality of CHW PNC practices, while also recognizing positive elements of experiential quality of care, including communication quality, and trusting relationships. This study also demonstrated the strength of the CHWs’ role in establishing linkages between the community and facilities, as long as the CHW are perceived as, and enabled to be, an integral part of the PHC network in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John Wanyugu
- Ministry of Health, Division of Community Health Services, Kenya
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Mgawe P, Maluka SO. Integration of community health workers into the health system in Tanzania: Examining the process and contextual factors. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021; 36:703-714. [PMID: 33474757 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Integration of community health workers (CHWs) into the health systems has become a global concern. Recently, the Government of Tanzania through the then Ministry of Health and Social Welfare initiated different strategies that aimed at integrating CHWs into the health system. This paper discusses the process and factors that influence the integration of CHWs into the health system in Tanzania. The study employed qualitative case study design using in-depth interviews (n = 37). In addition, various documents including health policies, Community-based Health Policy, community health workers guideline and Community health workers training curriculum were reviewed. Data were analysed by using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that potential CHWs were selected based on the National Council for Technical Education standards that required an applicant to have four (4) passes in the ordinary level examination. None of the CHWs who had undergone training had been employed by the government. This differed from what was prescribed in the CHWs guidelines. Integration of CHWs into health system in Tanzania has not been optimal because of inadequate preparations in terms of stakeholders engagement, infrastructure, legal and policy frameworks, technical expertise and financial resources. Effective integration of CHWs into the health system requires working with different actors to communicate objectives, achieve ownership of the stakeholders, manage conflict and cooperation, and sustain changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Mgawe
- Institute of Social Work, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Stephen O Maluka
- Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) & Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Dar s Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Wood S, Seevak E, Bhatia U, McBain R, Nadkarni A. "I will not step back": A Qualitative Study of Lay Mental Health Workers' Experiences in India. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2021; 48:695-706. [PMID: 33452945 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-020-01102-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A significant treatment gap exists for mental illnesses across the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Task-sharing, a potentially scalable strategy to bridge the treatment gap, has been shown to be feasible and effective for the treatment of a range of mental illnesses. However, there is a lack of research examining lay mental health workers' experiences in such task-sharing roles. The aim of our study was to understand the barriers and facilitators that lay health workers (LHWs) face in delivering mental healthcare. We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 lay mental health workers recruited through maximum variation sampling and 18 stakeholders leading mental health programs at a variety of non-governmental organisations across India. Interviews were semi-structured and data was analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. Results showed that LHWs perceived barriers and facilitators at three levels: individually (related to personal characteristics and family support, and in their daily work such as in relationship building and supervision), organizationally (for example, related to compensation), and societally (such as encountering gender discrimination and stigma). Each of these areas should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing task-sharing interventions for mental illnesses. As the first qualitative study to explore broad LHW experiences in mental healthcare delivery in a diverse set of programs from a LMIC, this study shows that LHW voices should be central to program design and decision-making for mental health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena Wood
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, 403501, India
| | - Emma Seevak
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, 403501, India
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Urvita Bhatia
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, 403501, India
- Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Abhijit Nadkarni
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Porvorim, Goa, 403501, India.
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Bunn M, Gonzalez N, Falek I, Weine S, Acri M. Supporting and Sustaining Nonspecialists to Deliver Mental Health Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Umbrella Review. INTERVENTION 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/intv.intv_47_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Puchalski Ritchie LM, van Lettow M, Makwakwa A, Kip EC, Straus SE, Kawonga H, Hamid JS, Lebovic G, Thorpe KE, Zwarenstein M, Schull MJ, Chan AK, Martiniuk A, van Schoor V. Impact of a tuberculosis treatment adherence intervention versus usual care on treatment completion rates: results of a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial. Implement Sci 2020; 15:107. [PMID: 33308257 PMCID: PMC7731739 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-020-01067-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the global shortage of skilled health workers estimated at 7.2 million, outpatient tuberculosis (TB) care is commonly task-shifted to lay health workers (LHWs) in many low- and middle-income countries where the shortages are greatest. While shown to improve access to care and some health outcomes including TB treatment outcomes, lack of training and supervision limit the effectiveness of LHW programs. Our objective was to refine and evaluate an intervention designed to address common causes of non-adherence to TB treatment and LHW knowledge and skills training needs. METHODS We employed a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial. Participants included 103 health centres (HCs) providing TB care in four districts in Malawi, randomized 1:1 stratified by district and HC funding (Ministry of Health, non-Ministry funded). At intervention HCs, a TB treatment adherence intervention was implemented using educational outreach, a point-of-care reminder tool, and a peer support network. Clusters in the control arm provided usual care. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with successful TB treatment (i.e., cure or treatment completion). We used a generalized linear mixed model, with district as a fixed effect and HC as a random effect, to compare proportions of patients with treatment success, among the trial arms, with adjustment for baseline differences. RESULTS We randomized 51 HCs to the intervention group and 52 HCs to the control group. Four intervention and six control HCs accrued no eligible patients, and 371 of 1169 patients had missing outcome, HC, or demographic data, which left 74 HCs and 798 patients for analysis. Randomization group was not related to missing outcome, however, district, age, and TB type were significantly related and included in the primary analysis model. Among the 1153 patients with HC and demographic data, 297/605 (49%) and 348/548 (64%) in the intervention and control arms, respectively, had treatment success. The intervention had no significant effect on treatment success (adjusted odds ratio 1.35 [95% confidence interval 0.93-1.98]). CONCLUSION We found no significant effect of the intervention on TB treatment outcomes with high variability in implementation quality, highlighting important challenges to both scale-up and sustainability. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02533089 . Registered August 20, 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. Puchalski Ritchie
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 6 Queen’s Park Crescent West, Third Floor, Toronto, ON M5S 3H2 Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michaels Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8 Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth Street, RFE G-480, Toronto, M5G 2C4 Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, M5T 3M7 Canada
| | - Monique van Lettow
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, M5T 3M7 Canada
| | | | | | - Sharon E. Straus
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 6 Queen’s Park Crescent West, Third Floor, Toronto, ON M5S 3H2 Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michaels Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8 Canada
| | | | - Jemila S. Hamid
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Room 101, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON I1G 5Z3 Canada
| | - Gerald Lebovic
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michaels Hospital, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8 Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, M5T 3M7 Canada
| | - Kevin E. Thorpe
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, M5T 3M7 Canada
- Applied Health Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond St, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8 Canada
| | - Merrick Zwarenstein
- Department of Family Medicine, Western University, London, ON Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 1151 Richmond St, London, ON N6A 5C1 Canada
| | - Michael J. Schull
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 6 Queen’s Park Crescent West, Third Floor, Toronto, ON M5S 3H2 Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, University of Toronto, c/o H2-66, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Canada
- Dignitas International Toronto, C/O ICES attention Michael Schull, 2075 Bayview Avenue, G106, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Canada
| | - Adrienne K. Chan
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 6 Queen’s Park Crescent West, Third Floor, Toronto, ON M5S 3H2 Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, M5T 3M7 Canada
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, M5T 3M7 Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, University of Toronto, c/o H2-66, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 Canada
| | - Alexandra Martiniuk
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, M5T 3M7 Canada
- George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
- The University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building, Sydney, NSW Australia
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Smith AM, Stewart K, Baul T, Valentine SE. Peer delivery of a brief cognitive-behavioral treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder: A hybrid effectiveness-implementation pilot study. J Clin Psychol 2020; 76:2133-2154. [PMID: 32632945 PMCID: PMC7665989 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment delivery by peer specialist providers could increase access to and engagement with PTSD treatment in low resource settings. The current pilot study tested the feasibility, acceptability, and initial effectiveness of a peer-delivered, brief cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD. METHOD Four certified peer specialists delivered the intervention to 18 participants with probable PTSD. We assessed PTSD symptoms weekly and administered surveys and interviews at baseline and posttreatment. RESULTS Our mixed-methods approach suggests that the intervention was feasible and acceptable, demonstrating high client satisfaction. We also found significant improvements in PTSD, depressive, anxiety, and general stress symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Peer-delivered interventions may be a good fit for addressing posttraumatic stress symptoms for people accessing care in low resource settings. Future research should evaluate peer-delivered PTSD treatment as a strategy for both reducing symptoms and improving access and engagement in professional care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, 720 Harrison Avenue, Suite 1150, Boston, MA, 02118, U.S
| | - Kaylee Stewart
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, 720 Harrison Avenue, Suite 1150, Boston, MA, 02118, U.S
| | - Tithi Baul
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, 720 Harrison Avenue, Suite 1150, Boston, MA, 02118, U.S
| | - Sarah E. Valentine
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, 720 Harrison Avenue, Suite 1150, Boston, MA, 02118, U.S
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, 720 Harrison Avenue, Suite 1150, Boston, MA, 02118, U.S
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John A, Nisbett N, Barnett I, Avula R, Menon P. Factors influencing the performance of community health workers: A qualitative study of Anganwadi Workers from Bihar, India. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242460. [PMID: 33237939 PMCID: PMC7688170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, there remain significant knowledge and evidence gaps around how to support Community Health Worker (CHW) programmes to achieve high coverage and quality of interventions. India's Integrated Child Development Services scheme employs the largest CHW cadre in the world-Anganwadi Workers (AWWs). However, factors influencing the performance of these workers remain under researched. Lessons from it have potential to impact on other large scale global CHW programmes. A qualitative study of AWWs in the Indian state of Bihar was conducted to identify key drivers of performance in 2015. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 AWWs; data was analysed using both inductive and deductive thematic analysis. The study adapted and contextualised existing frameworks on CHW performance, finding that factors affecting performance occur at the individual, community, programme and organisational levels, including factors not previously identified in the literature. Individual factors include initial financial motives and family support; programme factors include beneficiaries' and AWWs' service preferences and work environment; community factors include caste dynamics and community and seasonal migration; and organisational factors include corruption. The initial motives of the worker (the need to retain a job for family financial needs) and community expectations (for product-oriented services) ensure continued efforts even when her motivation is low. The main constraints to performance remain factors outside of her control, including limited availability of programme resources and challenging relationships shaped by caste dynamics, seasonal migration, and corruption. Programme efforts to improve performance (such as incentives, working conditions and supportive management) need to consider these complex, inter-related multiple determinants of performance. Our findings, including new factors, contribute to the global literature on factors affecting the performance of CHWs and have wide application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna John
- Department of International Development, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicholas Nisbett
- Health and Nutrition Cluster, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Inka Barnett
- Health and Nutrition Cluster, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Rasmi Avula
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Purnima Menon
- Poverty, Health and Nutrition Division, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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Wilson AN, Spotswood N, Hayman GS, Vogel JP, Narasia J, Elijah A, Morgan C, Morgan A, Beeson J, Homer CSE. Improving the quality of maternal and newborn care in the Pacific region: A scoping review. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC 2020; 3:100028. [PMID: 34327381 PMCID: PMC8315605 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2020.100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Quality care is essential for improving maternal and newborn health. Low- and middle-income Pacific Island nations face challenges in delivering quality maternal and newborn care. The aim of this review was to identify all published studies of interventions which sought to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care in Pacific low-and middle-income countries. Methods A scoping review framework was used. Databases and grey literature were searched for studies published between January 2000 and July 2019 which described actions to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care in Pacific low- and middle-income countries. Interventions were categorised using a four-level health system framework and the WHO quality of maternal and newborn care standards. An expert advisory group of Pacific Islander clinicians and researchers provided guidance throughout the review process. Results 2010 citations were identified and 32 studies included. Most interventions focused on the clinical service or organisational level, such as healthcare worker training, audit processes and improvements to infrastructure. Few addressed patient experiences or system-wide improvements. Enablers to improving quality care included community engagement, collaborative partnerships, adequate staff education and training and alignment with local priorities. Conclusions There are several quality improvement initiatives in low- and middle-income Pacific Island nations, most at the point of health service delivery. To effectively strengthen quality maternal and newborn care in this region, efforts must broaden to improve health system leadership, deliver sustaining education programs and encompass learnings from women and their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Wilson
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Australia.,Nossal Institute for Global Health, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - N Spotswood
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Royal Hobart Hospital, Australia
| | - G S Hayman
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Australia
| | - J P Vogel
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Australia.,Nossal Institute for Global Health, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Narasia
- Ministry of Health & Medical Services, Solomon Islands
| | - A Elijah
- Port Moresby General Hospital, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.,University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
| | - C Morgan
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Morgan
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Beeson
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - C S E Homer
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Australia.,Nossal Institute for Global Health, School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia
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Leaviss J, Davis S, Ren S, Hamilton J, Scope A, Booth A, Sutton A, Parry G, Buszewicz M, Moss-Morris R, White P. Behavioural modification interventions for medically unexplained symptoms in primary care: systematic reviews and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2020; 24:1-490. [PMID: 32975190 PMCID: PMC7548871 DOI: 10.3310/hta24460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The term 'medically unexplained symptoms' is used to cover a wide range of persistent bodily complaints for which adequate examination and appropriate investigations do not reveal sufficiently explanatory structural or other specified pathologies. A wide range of interventions may be delivered to patients presenting with medically unexplained symptoms in primary care. Many of these therapies aim to change the behaviours of the individual who may have worsening symptoms. OBJECTIVES An evidence synthesis to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of behavioural modification interventions for medically unexplained symptoms delivered in primary care settings was undertaken. Barriers to and facilitators of the effectiveness and acceptability of these interventions from the perspective of patients and service providers were evaluated through qualitative review and realist synthesis. DATA SOURCES Full search strategies were developed to identify relevant literature. Eleven electronic sources were searched. Eligibility criteria - for the review of clinical effectiveness, randomised controlled trials were sought. For the qualitative review, UK studies of any design were included. For the cost-effectiveness review, papers were restricted to UK studies reporting outcomes as quality-adjusted life-year gains. Clinical searches were conducted in November 2015 and December 2015, qualitative searches were conducted in July 2016 and economic searches were conducted in August 2016. The databases searched included MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO and EMBASE. Updated searches were conducted in February 2019 and March 2019. PARTICIPANTS Adult participants meeting the criteria for medically unexplained symptoms, including somatoform disorders, chronic unexplained pain and functional somatic syndromes. INTERVENTIONS Behavioural interventions were categorised into types. These included psychotherapies, exercise-based interventions, multimodal therapies (consisting of more than one intervention type), relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support, guided self-help and general practitioner interventions, such as reattribution. Evidence synthesis: a network meta-analysis was conducted to allow a simultaneous comparison of all evaluated interventions in a single coherent analysis. Separate network meta-analyses were performed at three time points: end of treatment, short-term follow-up (< 6 months since the end of treatment) and long-term follow-up (≥ 6 months after the end of treatment). Outcomes included physical and psychological symptoms, physical functioning and impact of the illness on daily activities. Economic evaluation: within-trial estimates of cost-effectiveness were generated for the subset of studies where utility values (or quality-adjusted life-years) were reported or where these could be estimated by mapping from Short Form questionnaire-36 items or Short Form questionnaire-12 items outcomes. RESULTS Fifty-nine studies involving 9077 patients were included in the clinical effectiveness review. There was a large degree of heterogeneity both between and within intervention types, and the networks were sparse across all outcomes. At the end of treatment, behavioural interventions showed some beneficial effects when compared with usual care, in particular for improvement of specific physical symptoms [(1) pain: high-intensity cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBTHI) standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.54 [95% credible interval (CrI) 0.28 to 0.84], multimodal SMD 0.52 (95% CrI 0.19 to 0.89); and (2) fatigue: low-intensity cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBTLI) SMD 0.72 (95% CrI 0.27 to 1.21), relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support SMD 0.87 (95% CrI 0.20 to 1.55), graded activity SMD 0.51 (95% CrI 0.14 to 0.93), multimodal SMD 0.52 (95% CrI 0.14 to 0.92)] and psychological outcomes [(1) anxiety CBTHI SMD 0.52 (95% CrI 0.06 to 0.96); (2) depression CBTHI SMD 0.80 (95% CrI 0.26 to 1.38); and (3) emotional distress other psychotherapy SMD 0.58 (95% CrI 0.05 to 1.13), relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support SMD 0.66 (95% CrI 0.18 to 1.28) and sport/exercise SMD 0.49 (95% CrI 0.03 to 1.01)]. At short-term follow-up, behavioural interventions showed some beneficial effects for specific physical symptoms [(1) pain: CBTHI SMD 0.73 (95% CrI 0.10 to 1.39); (2) fatigue: CBTLI SMD 0.62 (95% CrI 0.11 to 1.14), relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support SMD 0.51 (95% CrI 0.06 to 1.00)] and psychological outcomes [(1) anxiety: CBTHI SMD 0.74 (95% CrI 0.14 to 1.34); (2) depression: CBTHI SMD 0.93 (95% CrI 0.37 to 1.52); and (3) emotional distress: relaxation/stretching/social support/emotional support SMD 0.82 (95% CrI 0.02 to 1.65), multimodal SMD 0.43 (95% CrI 0.04 to 0.91)]. For physical functioning, only multimodal therapy showed beneficial effects: end-of-treatment SMD 0.33 (95% CrI 0.09 to 0.59); and short-term follow-up SMD 0.78 (95% CrI 0.23 to 1.40). For impact on daily activities, CBTHI was the only behavioural intervention to show beneficial effects [end-of-treatment SMD 1.30 (95% CrI 0.59 to 2.00); and short-term follow-up SMD 2.25 (95% CrI 1.34 to 3.16)]. Few effects remained at long-term follow-up. General practitioner interventions showed no significant beneficial effects for any outcome. No intervention group showed conclusive beneficial effects for measures of symptom load (somatisation). A large degree of heterogeneity was found across individual studies in the assessment of cost-effectiveness. Several studies suggested that the interventions produce fewer quality-adjusted life-years than usual care. For those interventions that generated quality-adjusted life-year gains, the mid-point incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) ranged from £1397 to £129,267, but, where the mid-point ICER fell below £30,000, the exploratory assessment of uncertainty suggested that it may be above £30,000. LIMITATIONS Sparse networks meant that it was not possible to conduct a metaregression to explain between-study differences in effects. Results were not consistent within intervention type, and there were considerable differences in characteristics between studies of the same type. There were moderate to high levels of statistical heterogeneity. Separate analyses were conducted for three time points and, therefore, analyses are not repeated-measures analyses and do not account for correlations between time points. CONCLUSIONS Behavioural interventions showed some beneficial effects for specific medically unexplained symptoms, but no one behavioural intervention was effective across all medically unexplained symptoms. There was little evidence that these interventions are effective for measures of symptom load (somatisation). General practitioner-led interventions were not shown to be effective. Considerable heterogeneity in interventions, populations and sparse networks mean that results should be interpreted with caution. The relationship between patient and service provider is perceived to play a key role in facilitating a successful intervention. Future research should focus on testing the therapeutic effects of the general practitioner-patient relationship within trials of behavioural interventions, and explaining the observed between-study differences in effects within the same intervention type (e.g. with more detailed reporting of defined mechanisms of the interventions under study). STUDY REGISTRATION This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42015025520. FUNDING This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 46. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Leaviss
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Sarah Davis
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Shijie Ren
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jean Hamilton
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alison Scope
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Andrew Booth
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Anthea Sutton
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Glenys Parry
- School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Marta Buszewicz
- Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London Medical School, London, UK
| | | | - Peter White
- Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
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Topp SM, Carbone NB, Tseka J, Kamtsendero L, Banda G, Herce ME. " Most of what they do, we cannot do!" How lay health workers respond to barriers to uptake and retention in HIV care among pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Malawi. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002220. [PMID: 32561513 PMCID: PMC7304641 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the era of Option B+ and 'treat all' policies for HIV, challenges to retention in care are well documented. In Malawi, several large community-facility linkage (CFL) models have emerged to address these challenges, training lay health workers (LHW) to support the national prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme. This qualitative study sought to examine how PMTCT LHW deployed by Malawi's three most prevalent CFL models respond to known barriers to access and retention to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and PMTCT. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study, including 43 semi-structured interviews with PMTCT clients; 30 focus group discussions with Ministry of Health (MOH)-employed lay and professional providers and PMTCT LHWs; a facility CFL survey and 2-4 hours of onsite observation at each of 8 sites and in-depth interviews with 13 programme coordinators and MOH officials. Thematic analysis was used, combining inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS Across all three models, PMTCT LHWs carried out a number of 'targeted' activities that respond directly to a range of known barriers to ART uptake and retention. These include: (i) fulfilling counselling and educational functions that responded to women's fears and uncertainties; (ii) enhancing women's social connectedness and participation in their own care and (iii) strengthening service function by helping clinic-based providers carry out duties more efficiently and effectively. Beyond absorbing workload or improving efficiency, however, PMTCT LHWs supported uptake and retention through foundational but often intangible work to strengthen CFL, including via efforts to strengthen facility-side responsiveness, and build community members' recognition of and trust in services. CONCLUSION PMTCT LHWs in each of the CFL models examined, addressed social, cultural and health system factors influencing client access to, and engagement with, HIV care and treatment. Findings underscore the importance of person-centred design in the 'treat-all' era and the contribution LHWs can make to this, but foreground the challenges of achieving person-centredness in the context of an under-resourced health system. Further work to understand the governance and sustainability of these project-funded CFL models and LHW cadres is now urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Godfrey Banda
- University of North Carolina Project, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Michael E Herce
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel HIll, North Carolina, USA
- Implementation Science Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
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Lorenzetti L, Tharaldson J, Pradhan S, Rastagar SH, Hemat S, Ahmadzai SAH, Dulli LS, Weissman A, Todd CS. Adapting a health video library for use in Afghanistan: provider-level acceptability and lessons for strengthening operational feasibility. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2020; 18:35. [PMID: 32429956 PMCID: PMC7236098 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-020-00477-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community health workers (CHWs) in Afghanistan are a critical care extender for primary health services, including reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health (RMNCH) care. However, volunteer CHWs face challenges including an ever-expanding number of tasks and insufficient time to conduct them. We piloted a health video library (HVL) intervention, a tablet-based tool to improve health promotion and counseling by CHWs. We qualitatively assessed provider-level acceptability and operational feasibility. METHODS CHWs implemented the HVL pilot in three rural districts of Balkh, Herat, and Kandahar provinces. We employed qualitative methods, conducting 47 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with male and female CHWs and six IDIs with community health supervisors. We used semi-structured interview guides to explore provider perceptions of program implementation processes and solicit feedback on how to improve the HVL intervention to inform scale-up. We conducted a thematic analysis. RESULTS CHWs reported that the HVL increased time efficiencies, reduced work burden, and enhanced professional credibility within their communities. CHWs felt video content and format were accessible for low literacy clients, but also identified challenges to operational feasibility. Although tablets were considered easy-to-use, certain technical issues required continued support from supervisors and family. Charging tablets was difficult due to inconsistent electricity access. Although some CHWs reported reaching most households in their catchment area for visits with the HVL, others were unable to visit all households due to sizeable populations and gender-related barriers, including women's limited mobility. CONCLUSIONS The HVL was acceptable and feasible for integration into existing CHW duties, indicating it may improve RMNCH counseling, contributing to increased care-seeking behaviors in Afghanistan. Short-term challenges with technology and hardware can be addressed through continued training and provision of solar chargers. Longer-term challenges, including tablet costs, community coverage, and gender issues, require further consideration with an emphasis on equitable distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Lorenzetti
- Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Jenae Tharaldson
- Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Subarna Pradhan
- Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Shafiqullah Hemat
- Health Promotions Department, Ministry of Public Health, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Lisa S Dulli
- Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amy Weissman
- Asia Pacific Regional Office, FHI 360, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Catherine S Todd
- Global Health, Population and Nutrition, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA
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Diebold A, Segovia M, Johnson JK, Degillio A, Zakieh D, Park HJ, Lim K, Tandon SD. Acceptability and appropriateness of a perinatal depression preventive group intervention: a qualitative analysis. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:189. [PMID: 32143644 PMCID: PMC7060621 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-5031-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perinatal depression is a prevalent public health concern. Although preventive interventions exist, there is limited literature on the acceptability and appropriateness of these interventions, especially those delivered by paraprofessionals. The Mothers and Babies Program (MB) is a group-based perinatal depression preventive intervention delivered prenatally. A cluster-randomized controlled trial examined the acceptability, appropriateness, and effectiveness of MB delivered by mental health professionals compared to paraprofessional staff from home visiting programs. METHODS The full study enrolled 874 pregnant women. Fifty-three facilitators were trained and delivered the MB intervention to women in one of seven states in the United States. Semi-structured interviews were attempted with a randomly-selected subset of the full sample of pregnant women who received the MB intervention and with all facilitators. Specifically, interviews were conducted with 88 women who received the MB group intervention (45 in the paraprofessional-led arm and 43 in the mental health professional-led arm) and 46 women who facilitated the groups (27 home visiting staff and 19 mental health professionals). Interviews were conducted over the phone in English or Spanish and audio recorded. The recordings were translated into English, as needed, and transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVIVO to identify key themes related to intervention acceptability and appropriateness. Similarities and differences between study arms were explored. RESULTS Clients and facilitators found the MB content and group format acceptable. Challenges included maintaining group attendance, transportation issues, and managing group discussion. Overall, facilitators found the intervention appropriate for pregnant clients with some challenges presented for clients in crisis situations, experiencing housing instability, and with literacy and learning challenges. Participants provided suggestions for improvement, both for the course content and implementation. There were no significant differences found between study arms. CONCLUSIONS Overall, clients and facilitators enjoyed MB irrespective of study arm, and facilitators found the intervention appropriate for the population. These findings add to the qualitative literature on perinatal depression preventive interventions, specifically those delivered by paraprofessionals. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Initial post: December 1, 2016; identifier: NCT02979444).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Diebold
- Center for Community Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 643, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Melissa Segovia
- Center for Community Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 680, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jessica K Johnson
- Center for Community Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 680, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Aria Degillio
- Center for Community Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 680, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Dana Zakieh
- Center for Community Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 680, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Hee Jin Park
- Center for Community Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 680, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Kenneth Lim
- Center for Community Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 680, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - S Darius Tandon
- Center for Community Health, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 750 N Lake Shore Drive, Suite 680, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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D'Arcy C, Taket A, Hanna L. Implementing empowerment-based Lay Health Worker programs: a preliminary study. Health Promot Int 2020; 34:726-734. [PMID: 29688341 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/day023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lay Health Worker (LHW) programs have been shown to be effective in engaging community members in health promotion. While successful LHW program implementation requires an understanding of factors influencing program effectiveness, evidence informing such understanding is lacking for empowerment and ecological theory-based LHW programs. This descriptive study explores how enablers and barriers, identified from LHW literature apply (from the LHWs' perspective) in the context of implementing an empowerment and ecological theory-based LHW model in Melbourne, Victoria. A qualitative case study was carried out. Data were collected from participating LHWs (n = 11) via anonymized online activity logs (n = 7) and semi-structured interviews (n = 7). Deductive-inductive thematic analysis was guided by five a priori themes identified from the literature: community relationships; intrinsic traits, values and motivations; capacity building; program design; and work conditions. Data supported the enablers and barriers to program effectiveness and implementation reported by previous research. Subthemes identified the importance of the LHW bridging role; the empowerment model; integrating the program; and program inclusiveness. This research contributes to the growing practice literature regarding how to effectively implement diverse LHW models in diverse settings. It also contributes to social ecological and complex systems-based health promotion practice evidence in suggesting LHWs to be potentially useful elements which may add to the effectiveness of ecologically based health promotion interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine D'Arcy
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.,EACH Social & Community Health
| | - Ann Taket
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Lisa Hanna
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Zhao X, Yuan B, Yu Y, Jian W. Governance function analysis of the Patriotic Health Movement in China. Glob Health Res Policy 2019; 4:34. [PMID: 31832541 PMCID: PMC6859625 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-019-0126-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Health system governance is critical to the operation of a country's health system and its overall performance. This study analyzes the role of health system governance in driving health policy innovation and effective implementation. Methods A retrospective review is applied to collect, analyze and synthesize information from publications and policy documents relevant to the implementation of a typical health policy, the Patriotic Health Movement. Results The analysis of governance highlighted a number of features underpinning this policy. These included highest authority prioritizing health system development, specific health policies being prioritized within the national development agenda, strong political will to promote the policies drawing on the advantages of the highly hierarchal administrative system in China, and accumulating evidence from local experience to support policy making. It was also found that the formation of these governance practices and how they drove policy innovation and implementation were both closely related to the political and socio-economic contexts in China. Conclusion Given that many low- and middle- income countries are strengthening their health systems aimed at UHC, this study demonstrates that along with drawing lessons from health policies or interventions, addressing factors in each governance domain is critical in adapting the policy design to other settings and the effective operation of policies in other settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhao
- 1China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Beibei Yuan
- 1China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yahang Yu
- 1China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Weiyan Jian
- 2School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Brown C, Lilford R, Griffiths F, Oppong-Darko P, Ndambo M, Okoh-Owusu M, Wroe E. Case study of a method of development of a selection process for community health workers in sub-Saharan Africa. HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH 2019; 17:75. [PMID: 31653269 PMCID: PMC6815009 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-019-0412-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Choosing who should be recruited as a community health worker (CHW) is an important task, for their future performance partly depends on their ability to learn the required knowledge and skills, and their personal attributes. Developing a fair and effective selection process for CHWs is a challenging task, and reports of attempts to do so are rare. This paper describes a five-stage process of development and initial testing of a CHW selection process in two CHW programmes, one in Malawi and one in Ghana, highlighting the lessons learned at each stage and offering recommendations to other CHW programme providers seeking to develop their own selection processes. CASE PRESENTATION The five stages of selection process development were as follows: (1) review an existing selection process, (2) conduct a job analysis, (3) elicit stakeholder opinions, (4) co-design the selection process and (5) test the selection process. Good practice in selection process development from the human resource literature and the principles of co-design were considered throughout. Validity, reliability, fairness, acceptability and feasibility-the determinants of selection process utility-were considered as appropriate during stages 1 to 4 and used to guide the testing in stage 5. The selection methods used by each local team were a written test and a short interview. CONCLUSIONS Working with stakeholders, including CHWs, helped to ensure the acceptability of the selection processes developed. Expectations of intensiveness-in particular the number of interviewers-needed to be managed as resources for selection are limited, and CHWs reported that any form of interview may be stressful. Testing highlighted the importance of piloting with CHWs to ensure clarity of wording of questions, interviewer training to maximise inter-rater reliability and the provision of guidance to applicants in advance of any selection events. Trade-offs between the different components of selection process utility are also likely to be required. Further refinements and evaluation of predictive validity (i.e. a sixth stage of development) would be recommended before roll-out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Brown
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom.
| | - Richard Lilford
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Griffiths
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Emily Wroe
- Partners In Health, Neno, Malawi
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, United States of America
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Avortri GS, Nabukalu JB, Nabyonga-Orem J. Supportive supervision to improve service delivery in low-income countries: is there a conceptual problem or a strategy problem? BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001151. [PMID: 31673434 PMCID: PMC6797347 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Supportive supervision is perceived as an intervention that strengthens the health system, enables health workers to offer quality services and improve performance. Unfortunately, numerous studies show that supervisory mechanisms in many low-income countries (LICs) are suboptimal. Further, the understanding of the concept and its implementation is still shrouded in misinterpretations and inconsistencies. This analysis contributes to a deeper understanding of the concept of supportive supervision and how reorganisation of the approach can contribute to improved performance. The effectiveness of supportive supervision is mixed, with some studies noting that evidence on its role, especially in LICs is inconclusive. Quality of care is a core component of universal health coverage which, accentuates the need for supportive supervision. In the context of LICs, it is imperative for supportive supervision to be implemented as an on-going approach. Factors that affect supportive supervision encompass cultural, social, organizational and context dimensions but the capacity of majority of LIC to address these is limited. To this end, we underscore the need to review the supportive supervision approach to improve its effectiveness, and ensure that facility-based supervision embodies as many of the envisioned qualities as possible. We thus make a case for a stronger focus on internal supportive supervision where internal refers to health facility/unit/ward level. Inherent in the approach is what we refer to as ‘supervisee initiated supportive supervision’. The success of this approach must be anchored on a strong system for monitoring, data and information management at the health facility level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gertrude Sika Avortri
- Health Systems and Services Cluster, World Health Organization, Inter-Country Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Juliet Nabyonga-Orem
- Health Systems and Services Cluster, World Health Organization, Inter-Country Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe
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46
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Task-shifting must recognise the professional role of nurses. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2019; 7:e1328-e1329. [DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30358-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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47
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Olaniran A, Madaj B, Bar-Zev S, van den Broek N. The roles of community health workers who provide maternal and newborn health services: case studies from Africa and Asia. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001388. [PMID: 31478012 PMCID: PMC6703286 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A variety of community health workers (CHWs) provide maternal and newborn health (MNH) services in low-income and middle-income settings. However, there is a need for a better understanding of the diversity in type of CHW in each setting and responsibility, role, training duration and type of remuneration. METHODS We identified CHWs providing MNH services in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi and Nigeria by reviewing 23 policy documents and conducting 36 focus group discussions and 131 key informant interviews. We analysed the data using thematic analysis. RESULTS Irrespective of training duration (8 days to 3 years), all CHWs identify pregnant women, provide health education and screen for health conditions that require a referral to a higher level of care. Therapeutic care, antenatal care and skilled birth attendance, and provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives are within the exclusive remit of CHWs with training greater than 3 months. In contrast, community mobilisation and patient tracking are often done by CHWs with training shorter than 3 months. Challenges CHWs face include pressure to provide MNH services beyond their scope of practice during emergencies, and a tendency in some settings to focus CHWs on facility-based roles at the expense of their traditional community-based roles. CONCLUSION CHWs are well positioned geographically and socially to deliver some aspects of MNH care. However, there is a need to review and revise their scope of practice to reflect the varied duration of training and in-country legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abimbola Olaniran
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Barbara Madaj
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Sarah Bar-Zev
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Nynke van den Broek
- Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
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Downe S, Finlayson KW, Lawrie TA, Lewin SA, Glenton C, Rosenbaum S, Barreix M, Tunçalp Ö. Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) for Guidelines: Paper 1 - Using qualitative evidence synthesis to inform guideline scope and develop qualitative findings statements. Health Res Policy Syst 2019; 17:76. [PMID: 31391057 PMCID: PMC6686511 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-019-0467-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND WHO has recognised the need to ensure that guideline processes are transparent and evidence based, and that the resulting recommendations are relevant and applicable. Along with decision-making criteria that require findings from effectiveness reviews, WHO is increasingly using evidence derived from qualitative evidence syntheses (QES) to inform the values, acceptability, equity and feasibility implications of its recommendations. This is the first in a series of three papers examining the use of QES in developing clinical and health systems guidelines. METHODS WHO convened a group of methodologists involved in developing recent (2010-2018) guidelines that were informed by QES. Using a pragmatic and iterative approach that included feedback from WHO staff and other stakeholders, the group reflected on, discussed and identified key methods and research implications from designing QES and using the resulting findings in guideline development. Our aim in this paper is to (1) describe and discuss how the findings of QES can inform the scope of a guideline and (2) develop findings for key guideline decision-making criteria. RESULTS QES resulted in the addition of new outcomes that are directly relevant to service users, a stronger evidence base for decisions about how much effective interventions and related outcomes are valued by stakeholders in a range of contexts, and a more complete database of summary evidence for guideline panels to consider, linked to decisions about values, acceptability, feasibility and equity. CONCLUSIONS Rigorously conducted QES can be a powerful means of improving the relevance of guidelines, and of ensuring that the concerns of stakeholders, at all levels of the healthcare system and from a wide range of settings, are taken into account at all stages of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Downe
- University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Simon A. Lewin
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - María Barreix
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Özge Tunçalp
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Champine RB, Shaker AH, Tsitaridis KA, Whitson ML, Kaufman JS. Service-Related Barriers and Facilitators in an Early Childhood System of Care: Comparing the Perspectives of Parents and Providers. Community Ment Health J 2019; 55:942-953. [PMID: 31165963 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-019-00418-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Systems of care (SOCs) have the potential to enhance underserved families' access to integrated health and support services. Most scholarship on SOCs has involved school-aged children and adolescents. Thus, research is needed to better understand barriers to, and facilitators of, families' access to services during early childhood. The present study included a community-based participatory approach in understanding services for families of children under age six years with severe emotional and behavioral problems. We analyzed data from two focus groups with caregivers (n = 7) and three focus groups with service providers (n = 22). Our thematic analysis of participants' responses revealed five primary barriers to family service access, including challenges associated with transition planning. In comparison, participants described four primary facilitators of family service access, including providers' adoption of "whole-family" service delivery approaches. Findings indicated areas of convergence and divergence in caregivers' and providers' responses. We discuss limitations and potential implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robey B Champine
- Division of Public Health, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, 48503, USA. .,Division of Prevention and Community Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Andrea H Shaker
- Department of Psychology, University of New Haven, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Melissa L Whitson
- Department of Psychology, University of New Haven, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joy S Kaufman
- Division of Prevention and Community Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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50
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Hay K, McDougal L, Percival V, Henry S, Klugman J, Wurie H, Raven J, Shabalala F, Fielding-Miller R, Dey A, Dehingia N, Morgan R, Atmavilas Y, Saggurti N, Yore J, Blokhina E, Huque R, Barasa E, Bhan N, Kharel C, Silverman JG, Raj A. Disrupting gender norms in health systems: making the case for change. Lancet 2019; 393:2535-2549. [PMID: 31155270 PMCID: PMC7233290 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)30648-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Restrictive gender norms and gender inequalities are replicated and reinforced in health systems, contributing to gender inequalities in health. In this Series paper, we explore how to address all three through recognition and then with disruptive solutions. We used intersectional feminist theory to guide our systematic reviews, qualitative case studies based on lived experiences, and quantitative analyses based on cross-sectional and evaluation research. We found that health systems reinforce patients' traditional gender roles and neglect gender inequalities in health, health system models and clinic-based programmes are rarely gender responsive, and women have less authority as health workers than men and are often devalued and abused. With regard to potential for disruption, we found that gender equality policies are associated with greater representation of female physicians, which in turn is associated with better health outcomes, but that gender parity is insufficient to achieve gender equality. We found that institutional support and respect of nurses improves quality of care, and that women's empowerment collectives can increase health-care access and provider responsiveness. We see promise from social movements in supporting women's reproductive rights and policies. Our findings suggest we must view gender as a fundamental factor that predetermines and shapes health systems and outcomes. Without addressing the role of restrictive gender norms and gender inequalities within and outside health systems, we will not reach our collective ambitions of universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. We propose action to systematically identify and address restrictive gender norms and gender inequalities in health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lotus McDougal
- Center on Gender Equity and Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Valerie Percival
- Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Sarah Henry
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jeni Klugman
- Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA; Women and Public Policy Program, Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Haja Wurie
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Joanna Raven
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Rebecca Fielding-Miller
- Center on Gender Equity and Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Arnab Dey
- Sambodhi Research & Communications, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Rosemary Morgan
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer Yore
- Center on Gender Equity and Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Elena Blokhina
- Vladman Institute of Pharmacology, Department of Psychiatry, First Pavlov State Medical University of St Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Edwine Barasa
- Kemri-Wellcome Trust, Kenya Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nandita Bhan
- Center on Gender Equity and Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Jay G Silverman
- Center on Gender Equity and Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anita Raj
- Center on Gender Equity and Health, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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